Sermons

Homily: St. Peter’s Proper 6: June 17, 2018 David In our first reading we hear the account in spare but powerful language of the prophet Samuel choosing the next king for the people of Israel, replacing Saul who – well, didn’t work out so well. This is pivotal point in the historical cycle that in former days we wouldn’t have heard from. The whole cycle runs from Joshua / Judges through 2 Kings and is know as the Deuteronomistic History. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. I have been preaching from the Episcopal lectionary for well over 30 years now. I have experience of Episcopal preaching going back to the Prayer Book of 1928. I am especially glad for the shift that has occurred – just in th...

Homily: Proper 5 Our Savior: Rock Hill lectionary Texts “Kingdom divided against itself” “Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit” “Who are my mother and brothers?” Here are my mother and my brothers (doing the will of God) Episcopalians united These words from the gospel of Mark are challenging. They speak to Jesus’ perception that his followers are divided against themselves. Evidently some think that they are on the inside track to his sympathy and compassion – which leaves others on the outside. Evidently they have lost a focus on doing God’s will. From the beginning, evidently, Jesus’ disciples were not just a simple band of followers with a common mind, a common purpose, a common bond. Jesus had to cajole them, remind them, "Hey folks, let’s all get on board the same ship. Thinking that there were, of course, some basic things about which Episcopalians would be united. I have more than once be...